H & C News was recently given the opportunity to join Georg Riedel for a Special Trade Tasting at Westminster Kingsway College in London – along with 100 or so others from across the hospitality sector. A truly diverse audience – all ages, backgrounds and professions were represented – was held spellbound as Georg explained and then demonstrated the science behind the design of specific glasses to suit specific grapes.
From sceptics to apostles
The sceptics amongst us – there were a few – listened doubtfully as he pointed out that wine sends a ‘message’ to the drinker’s senses consisting of bouquet, texture, flavour, and finish. All well known, you may say.
Less well known is the fact that shape, size and rim diameter of the glass has a profound influence on translating the ‘message’ of the wine to the drinker: each of these works differently with different wines. In other words, selecting the right glass can significantly enhance your enjoyment of the wine.
But just how much effect can the glass have? The Tasting gave us the opportunity to find out: three different wines were sampled out of three different glasses – Sommeliers Restaurant 300/16, Restaurant XL 447/30, and Sommeliers Restaurant 300/00 (as pictured above).
The result: without exception, and irrespective of knowledge or experience of wine, the audience recognised the differences that each of the three glasses had on each of the wines being tasted – and that the ‘grape varietal specific stemware’ (as it’s termed) for each wine was indeed the ‘best’ choice.
There’s no arguing with the evidence of your own testing and taste: and there was no arguing from the audience.
And what impact on food?
At the conclusion, there were many thoughtful expressions to be seen: if the wrong choice of glass can reduce the enjoyment of the wine, what impact does it have on the food? Certainly, it could reduce the pleasure of the food and therefore the satisfaction of customers – not a happy thought for those working in restaurants and hospitality.
The last word here goes to wine critic Robert M Parker Jr. of The Wine Advocate:
“The effect of … glasses on fine wine is profound. I cannot emphasise enough what a difference they make. The finest glasses for both technical and hedonistic purposes are those made by Riedel.”
About Riedel
Riedel Crystal has been producing glass for over 250 years, remains family owned, and remains dedicated to producing the highest quality glasses and decanters for the enjoyment of wine and spirits.
They are renowned for their glasses – top-rated restaurants and wineries throughout the world use Riedel, and they have a comprehensive range to suit every lifestyle and price range: there is a series for every wine lover.
And, over the years, they have continuously invested in developing the shapes of their wine glasses to enhance the aroma and the flavour of wine: ‘wine-friendly’ stemware translates and delivers the bouquet, taste, balance and finish of a wine to the drinker’s senses.
For more information about Riedel www.riedel.com and www.riedel.co.uk
